Knee decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions due to a duty to assist error in not providing an examination.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date for the grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from May 7, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from maintaining gainful employment prior to this date.

The Veteran's left hand disability, manifested by reduced grip strength, is granted. The appeals for service connection of right and left knee disabilities are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The claims for groin disability, pseudofolliculitis, restless leg syndrome, and bilateral knee disability have not been granted as there is no new and relevant evidence received since the previous final denial.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service connected. The bilateral hip condition and left knee disability are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment, as his vision impairment does not qualify under the specified regulations.

The Board has found the VA Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) review inadequate to support the decision made, as it did not address whether the Veteran requires personal care services each time he completes one or more activities of daily living (ADLs). The case is remanded for an updated CEAT review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee DJD, to include as secondary to a service-connected disability, is being remanded due to an inadequate VA medical opinion. The Board requires the Veteran to be provided with a new VA examination and a medical nexus opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his already determined to be service-connected right knee disability. The decision also notes there is new and relevant evidence warranting readjudication of this claim.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, left knee condition, right knee condition, left leg condition, lumbar back condition, and neck condition due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran was not scheduled for examinations because he failed to appear, but it is believed he was briefly incarcerated in March 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral heel disorder due to a lack of VA examinations prior to the initial rating decision.

The Veteran's left knee disability is productive of limited extension, instability, and painful flexion. The Board has granted separate 10 percent ratings for these issues.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions. The remand requires the examiner to address the Veteran's risk for developing osteoarthritis given his reports of repetitive use of his knees during his 21 years in the U.S. Army.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ankle disability or left knee arthritis related to service. The claims for right knee and cervical spine disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for right-knee degenerative joint disease and right-knee genu recurvatum, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are caused by events in active service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder and a left foot disorder, both of which are related to the Veteran's period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) in January 1991.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disability, hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol), right shoulder osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus, type 2, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction is being remanded due to the need for an examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show symptoms that would warrant a higher rating than 60 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to withdraw his appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for left knee condition as it is proximately due to a service-connected back condition. The claim for service connection for epididymitis remains pending and requires additional development.